Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-02-03
A Lecture Worth Hearing.

The short course of entertainments
proposed for the remainder of the
season in Lancaster will begin with a
lecture by Hon. b, X. Bruce, ex-senator
from Mississippi, and ex-register of the
U. S. Treasury, at Hyde's Hall, Tues
day evening, February 10. There are
few men on the lecture platform to-day
who present more attractions than Mr.
Bruce. The very fact of his having
been born slave, and by the sheer
force of his natural talents. been given
seat in the U. S. Senate at the age of
"a, would attract many people to see
and hear so remarkable a man. But
added to this very pardonable curiosity
is the knowledge that he is fine orator.
We take pleasure in announcing so
entertaining a speaker to commence
our short course, and trust the people
of this vicinity will appreciate the OPP
portunity thus presented to them. The
subject of the lecture Will be
2 1.-THE RACE PR oBLEM."
This is not question of politics solely,
nor at all one of political parties, but
| is one that reaches deeper down into
the life of our nation than any of the
| political questions we have heard dis
cussed. 1t is question to interest
| every man and woman, and the lecturer
will undoubtedly speak to large audi
ence. In connection with this announce
ment, we present the following brief
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
g Hon. b. K Bruce, ex-U. S. Senator
for Mississippi, was born in Prince Ed
ward county, Va, March /, 1871. At
an early age he moved to Missouri and
thence to Mississippi. His education in
boyhood was limited, but a course at
Oberlin College, supplemented subse-
auently by the services of private tutors
and habit of persistent study, has made
him scholarly and thoroughly posted
man.
After he moved to Mississippi he be-
came interested in politics, and, while
he conducted the business of planter,
filled the various positions OF Commits
sioner of Levees. Tax Collector, Sheriff
and Superintendent of Education in
Bolivar county, as well as that of Ser
geant-at-A Arms in the State Senate. In
1874, after spirited campaign, he was
elected to the United States Senate,
serving from 1875 to 1881. As senator
he was chairman of several important
committees, and an active member of
many others. He participated with
marked ability in the debates Of the
Senate, and presided frequently over
that august body. He was appointed
by President Garfield Register of the
| u. S. Treasury, which office, for more
than four years, he administered with
the greatest fidelity and ability.
The career of this gentleman presents
some remarkable features, and consists
of a series of honorable successes which
read like romance.
Born a slave in 1S41, he acquires a
broad education and an ample compet-
ency by business pursuits; takes his
seat at the age of 81 in the most digni-
fed legislative body in the world, sell
ected by his state to fill the place OF
Jefferson Davis in the Senate OF the
United States, and at the expiration OF
his term is appointed by the President
to till the position of Register of the u.
S. Treasury. where he officially certified
by signature the verify of all paper
moneys and securities issued by the
Government during bis four years in
cumbency.
Mr.. Bruce possesses commanding
presence and full. musical voice. His
lectures are full of original thought,
and are presented in felicitous language.
His discussions are philosophical. but
his ideas are so impressively and natur-
ally presented that he never loses his
hold upon the attention Of his audience.
He is not only an instructive and enter
tanning speaker, but most eloquent
bone